A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States
Scientific research and expertise play a critical role in informing legislative decisions and guiding effective policy. However, significant communication gaps persist between scientists and policymakers. While interest in science policy among researchers has substantially increased in recent decade...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2020.00409/full |
| _version_ | 1818419932993421312 |
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| author | Elizabeth D. Hetherington Alexandra A. Phillips |
| author_facet | Elizabeth D. Hetherington Alexandra A. Phillips |
| author_sort | Elizabeth D. Hetherington |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Scientific research and expertise play a critical role in informing legislative decisions and guiding effective policy. However, significant communication gaps persist between scientists and policymakers. While interest in science policy among researchers has substantially increased in recent decades, traditional academic and research careers rarely provide formal training or exposure to the inner workings of government, public policy, or communicating scientific findings to broad audiences. Here, we offer 10 practical steps for scientists who want to engage in science policy efforts, with a focus on state and federal policy in the United States. We first include a primer to government structure and tailoring science communication for a policymaker audience. We then provide action-oriented steps that focus on arranging and successfully navigating meetings with government officials. Finally, we suggest structural steps in academia that would provide resources and support for students, researchers, and faculty who are interested in policy. We offer our perspective, as early-career marine scientists who have participated in policy discussions at state and federal levels and through the American Geophysical Union’s “Voices for Science” program. This guide offers potential pathways for engagement in science policy, and provides researchers with tangible actions to effectively reach stakeholders. Lastly, we hope to activate further conversations on best practices for policy engagement, particularly for researchers interested in careers at the science policy interface. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T12:46:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b6e525e93fd94529bf67e3c71e6ed21d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-7745 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T12:46:26Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Marine Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-b6e525e93fd94529bf67e3c71e6ed21d2022-12-21T23:00:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452020-06-01710.3389/fmars.2020.00409537400A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United StatesElizabeth D. Hetherington0Alexandra A. Phillips1Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United StatesGeological and Planetary Sciences Division, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United StatesScientific research and expertise play a critical role in informing legislative decisions and guiding effective policy. However, significant communication gaps persist between scientists and policymakers. While interest in science policy among researchers has substantially increased in recent decades, traditional academic and research careers rarely provide formal training or exposure to the inner workings of government, public policy, or communicating scientific findings to broad audiences. Here, we offer 10 practical steps for scientists who want to engage in science policy efforts, with a focus on state and federal policy in the United States. We first include a primer to government structure and tailoring science communication for a policymaker audience. We then provide action-oriented steps that focus on arranging and successfully navigating meetings with government officials. Finally, we suggest structural steps in academia that would provide resources and support for students, researchers, and faculty who are interested in policy. We offer our perspective, as early-career marine scientists who have participated in policy discussions at state and federal levels and through the American Geophysical Union’s “Voices for Science” program. This guide offers potential pathways for engagement in science policy, and provides researchers with tangible actions to effectively reach stakeholders. Lastly, we hope to activate further conversations on best practices for policy engagement, particularly for researchers interested in careers at the science policy interface.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2020.00409/fullscience policygovernment relationspolicy engagementscience advocacyUnited States policy |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth D. Hetherington Alexandra A. Phillips A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States Frontiers in Marine Science science policy government relations policy engagement science advocacy United States policy |
| title | A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States |
| title_full | A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States |
| title_fullStr | A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States |
| title_short | A Scientist’s Guide for Engaging in Policy in the United States |
| title_sort | scientist s guide for engaging in policy in the united states |
| topic | science policy government relations policy engagement science advocacy United States policy |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2020.00409/full |
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